Locking chickens in the coop for the first week?

[Willow's Meadow]

Should they be aloud AT ALL to go and run around in the fenced in run during the first week in their coop? Or should they stay in ALL day and all night without going out at all so they know its home? And I do have lots of ventilation so don't worry!

 

[jerseygirl1]

I kept mine in for four months until I thought they were safe outside in their run - also so that they know when darkness falls, that is where they roost and eat. But I think one week is fine

 

[CityChook]

I left mine inside for one week, but it's because I didn't have the run finished yet. If you let them into the run, it's not going to hurt anything. You might have to go out at sundown and teach them to go up the ramp and go to bed on the roost. You're the mama hen!

 

[MareeZoCool]

Got a roo? HE will heard those new girls in the coop for you.

 

[Willow's Meadow]

yes I'm getting a roo. But the one bad thing about our coop/run is that they can't be connected.

Because there is a driveway between the two(were actually keeping them in our big barn) and the field is past the driveway. But i guess it'll be okay. I'll just lead them to it until they can free range. Once they free range they can go from the coop to the run to the woods/fields. Will that work you think?

 

[jerseygirl1]

Only if they feel like it

 

[LaurelRidgeDreams]

Willow's Meadow :

I'll just lead them to it until they can free range.

How will you do this???

 

[rcentner]

If they are fenced in (with NO WAY out) then they will choose the coop to roost in at night, it's just the best option as they see it. But if there is a way up and out, they will find it and you will have some chicken wranglin to do, lol. (been there, always learnin the hard way)

oh, I just noted that you don't have the coop attached....hmmmm......hope and pray they go back in and if they don't, watch them roost and pick em up after dark? Throw corn/bread into the coop and hope they go in to get it?

 

[Willow's Meadow]

Quote:
How will you do this???

I guess I could do 1-3 chickens at a time?!?! I don't know. lol we'll just have to see

It'll work out....i hope